Smoking & Dental Health in Wenatchee, WA

Most people today are aware of how smoking will affect the health of their lungs and body overall, but very few pay much attention to the effects it can have on their smile. The most common result of smoking is yellowed and stained teeth, but the side effects can stretch to other areas and be far more serious for your oral health.

If you smoke, it’s important that you visit the dentist on a regular basis for your check-ups and exams. Since smoking increases your risk for gum disease, tooth loss, and even oral cancer, staying on top of your oral health is very important to avoid these effects as much as possible.

The nicotine and tar present in tobacco will lead to stained teeth rather quickly after a person picks up the habit of smoking. After years of smoking, many heavy smokers come to the dentist with almost brown teeth due to the severe staining and its build up over time.

On a more serious side of things, smoking can also lead to gum disease. This is because smokers are more likely to produce bacterial plaque, which directly leads to the development of gum disease. Because smoking causes lower oxygen levels in the bloodstream, the gums will be affected. Once infected, the gums won’t be able to heal because of this buildup and lack of oxygen.

Smokers also have more dental plaque compared to non-smokers, and these are all things that regular brushing alone can’t address (although it’s still of critical importance for avoiding other issues or worsening these).

If you are a smoker in Wenatchee, it is important that you contact our office and schedule a consultation with our dentists.